About
Supporting Research & Innovation in the U.S.
What is the STEM Research Initiative and ResearcherUSA.com?
The STEM Research Initiative is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program. Allowing global experts to stay in the U.S. for up to five years, this program helps facilitate meaningful collaboration between U.S.-based companies, institutions and foreign nationals involved in research and development to leverage exchange of ideas and fuel innovation worldwide.
Whether information is sought by employers, lawyers, international STEM experts, recent graduates of STEM degree programs, state, local or federal government actors, multilateral organizations, universities, or others – the ResearcherUSA.com site provides a “one-stop shop” on the STEM Research Initiative, including resources directly from the U.S. Department of State’s own FAQs.
Sponsoring Organizations
The researcherusa.com site was developed by a group of nonprofit exchange visitor program sponsors looking to better ensure access to fulsome information about how the STEM Research Initiative can be utilized by U.S. companies of every size, geography, and sector.
Goals for the STEM Research Initiative:
Foster stronger global collaboration
Increase mutual understanding between U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries
Improve competitiveness
Support an increase in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, professionals, and exchange visitors on educational and cultural exchange programs in the United States
Bring fresh ideas, perspectives, and approaches to:
- U.S.-based companies and their employees
- U.S. institutions and their scholars, researchers, and faculty
- Innovation hubs and incubators
- The nation’s innovation ecosystem
Why STEM Research Initiative?
In 2022, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced the STEM Research Initiative. Working in collaboration with designated program sponsors, the initiative was designed to support U.S. companies and institutions interested in hosting J-1 visa exchange visitors in STEM fields to add a global perspective to STEM R&D being conducted by private businesses across America.
The STEM Research Initiative was initially devised by the State Department in collaboration with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy based on the recognition that when people come to the United States to study, to take part in science and technology endeavors, and to build ties between cultures and countries, this benefits America and Americans.
The STEM Research Initiative was designed to create opportunities for companies to broaden networks and tap into the global marketplace of talent, and to allow U.S. businesses of any size to work with people who bring a different lens, different background, and different perspective. Leveraging the existing J-1 Research Scholar program and existing regulations governing that program, the initiative was developed as a way to expand eligibility and remove barriers to participation, so more U.S. organizations could benefit.
One of America’s greatest competitive advantages is its ability to attract innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world. By making key policy changes and establishing the STEM Research initiative, the United States has successfully carved out new avenues for businesses and institutions to connect with talented global researchers and other highly skilled individuals in STEM fields.
Participate in the STEM Research Initiative
If you’re a U.S.-based company, institution, or a foreign researcher interested in participating in the J-1 STEM Research Initiative, find out how you can get started by selecting one of the participation categories below.
If you are a STEM participant, sign up at STEMTalentConnect.com to start your journey.
FAQs from State Department
Want to read other user-specific FAQs?
Do I need to issue a new Form DS-2019 for any changes of activity for research scholars and/or professors?
No. The primary purpose of research scholar is to conduct research, and the primary purpose of professors is to teach. However, at the discretion and approval of the Responsible Officer, professors may engage in some research and research scholars may engage in some teaching and lecturing. Please note that this minor change of activity is not considered a change of category necessitating a formal approval by the Department of State and does not require the issuance of a new Form DS-2019. Such change in activity does not extend the exchange visitor’s maximum duration of program participation.
Does Permission to Issue apply to Academic Sponsors placing academic exchange students and scholars at STEM host organizations?
No. The Department does not require sponsors to submit a Permission to Issue request when placing exchange visitors at U.S. businesses serving as STEM host organizations. Placement of academic exchange visitors at off-campus host organizations is currently permitted by the regulations and consistent with the current practice and placement of students performing academic training or student interns at off-campus host organizations in their chosen field of study. With respect to the STEM initiative, short-term scholars, research scholars, professors and specialists in the STEM field may also be placed at host organizations by academic sponsors.As clarified by the Department in Guidance Directive 2019-02, Permission to Issue Form DS-2019 authorization facilitates the entry of qualified exchange visitors to participate in BridgeUSA at academic or research institutions that are not currently designated as BridgeUSA sponsors. The Department uses this opportunity to further clarify that in this circumstance, “academic or research institutions” typically refers to institutions of higher education.Please note that student interns are still required to have a signed Form DS-7002 in place between the sponsor, student intern, and host organization. Designated sponsors issuing Forms DS-2019 must ensure that both exchange visitors and host organizations in the STEM field are sufficiently educated on and comply with the purpose and regulations of BridgeUSA. This obligation includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements: verifying the exchange visitors are eligible to participate in the selected BridgeUSA category; ensuring that the activities in which exchange visitors are engaged are consistent with the category and activity listed on their Forms DS-2019; monitoring the exchange visitors’ health, safety, and welfare; and meeting all reporting obligations of the designated sponsors, including updating the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Does the STEM Initiative permit a sponsor to place a J-1 research scholar with a for-profit company and can the exchange visitor receive compensation or wages from the company?
Yes. Department-designated sponsors must have robust procedures in place to confirm the legitimacy of any host organization, lab, or office that will serve as a host their exchange visitors. Research scholars may receive wages or other remuneration as long as the individual is conducting research consistent with their original program objectives. STEM placements meet the regulatory requirements for specific categories of the Exchange Visitor Program.
How do I sign up for the STEM Research Initiative?
The STEM Initiative will connect U.S.-based STEM entities interested in serving as host organizations with BridgeUSA sponsors of STEM-focused exchange visitors seeking opportunities in the United States.Prospective host organizations should reach out to BridgeUSA Sponsors (ECA’s implementing partners for exchanges) to determine the best fit.
I am a company interested in hosting a J-1 Research Scholar. The regulations indicate that Research Scholars may engage in research or consulting at “corporate research facilities … or similar types of institutions in the United States.” I am unsure what is meant in the regulations regarding “corporate research facilities.” Is my STEM business permitted to host a researcher?
Yes, companies are permitted by current regulations to host J-1 Research Scholars onsite at their respective places of business. The purpose of the Research Scholars category of the Exchange Visitor Program is to foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and to stimulate international collaborative teaching, lecturing, and research efforts. A STEM business does not have to have an independent research division to qualify as a host organization. A company, organization, or similar entity may host a J-1 Research Scholar, as long as it can ensure that program requirements are being met, the field of research aligns with the prospective exchange visitor’s area of study, and the host organization maintains the ability, personnel, and resources to achieve the goals and objectives of the Research Scholar’s program. Sponsors and host organizations have a shared responsibility to ensure whether a host organization will be a good match for an exchange visitor (e.g., determining that the necessary infrastructure is in place to host and support that exchange visitor during the program).
